Apples and Oranges [Drarry] ✔

Chapter 4: Black and White

"Were we ever strangers? It's hard to think of a time when I didn't know him in some way – even if only superficially, through newspaper snippets, or whispers of the crowd. But I never knew him like this. Nervous, but glowing. Handsome. Excited.

We exchanged only glances, the lightest of touches, jokes, and warmth – no more. But there was something in the way he laughed that reminded me of my better self – of who I could have been.

I looked at him, still grinning, and felt as fake as the snow falling on the stage when the curtains came to close."

– Apples and Oranges by Francis Gallagher

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"So how much do I owe you for these?" Harry asks, fiddling with the two tickets in his hands and mentally preparing himself for the worst. Hermione might be his best friend, but some favours still cost more than others...

"I'm very tempted to say a week's worth of babysitting duty, but it wasn't actually that hard."

Harry raises his eyebrows at this. He knows their connections can get them far, but this thing with the ballet was a really last-minute decision. He frowns at Hermione to prompt her to continue, and she does, but not before rolling her eyes at him.

"I'm in a book club with the girl who dances Gamzatti," she explains with a shrug. "It was a good coincidence that she also had extra tickets and no one to give them to."

"You're in a book club with a ballerina?"

"Yes, she's a half-blood but had tutors instead of going to Hogwarts because she didn't want to give up ballet. She's a wonderful dancer and isn't half bad with a wand either. If it weren't for this whole Malfoy mess you have going on, I would consider introducing you two."

Harry frowns at her again. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Hermione raises her eyebrows.

"What?"

Hermione just watches him struggle for a moment or two before laughing shortly. "Nothing, Harry."

She turns towards the fireplace as if to go, but then she glances back at him – or rather, at the tickets in his hands. "I just... I can't believe you don't find this weird at all. Or funny at least."

"Why would it be weird? Or funny?"

"Oh, I don't know! You don't see Malfoy in ten years and now you're suddenly going on a date with him? To prove that his fictional idea of a date is no good?"

"No, not that it's no good just that there isn't enough time for the main leads to fall in love with each other," Harry corrects her.

"Harry –"

"What? I'm almost thirty years old. I'm sober. I'm an adult. I can make my own choices –"

"I'm not saying you can't," Hermione says softly. "I'm just saying that all of this happened so fast and that maybe you need to re-evaluate your reasons for making those choices. Impulsive choices. Making-your-best-friend-get-tickets-with-a-one-day-notice choices."

"I want to prove Malfoy wrong," Harry says throwing his hands in the air. "That's it. That's the only reason."

Hermione bites her lip and looks away from him before saying, "It's not like you think Malfoy is fit, or anything..."

Harry rolls his eyes and then looks at her straight on. "So what if I do? Physical attraction does not mean I'm going to fall in love with him. Physical attraction has nothing to do with this. And even if it does! So what?! What's wrong with me just... doing things for the sake of them? Why would there have to be a deeper calculated meaning behind everything I do? Why shouldn't I decide to take Malfoy out on a date and then do it a day after?"